Details of Planting an Orchard 81 



this size would have nearly interlocked between the rows 

 if planted 20 by 20 feet. And more than this, the roots 

 of adjacent trees would have overlapped and competed for 

 moisture and plant-food, long before the branches of oppos- 

 ing trees would have interfered with one another. In other 

 words, the roots of opposite trees are likely to crowd much 

 earlier in the life of an orchard than are the branches of the 

 same trees, when planted at the usual distances. 



The distances between the trees decided on, any one of 

 several methods of determining the proper spot at which 

 to plant each tree may be used. Doubtless the simplest 

 and most accurate way is by the use of a surveyor's compass 

 and chain. A crew of four men can do the work expedi- 

 tiously and well, one to sight the compass and align the 

 placing of a stake for each tree, two to handle the chain and 

 another to carry and drive the stakes at the proper points 

 as designated by the head chainman and in correct align- 

 ment as indicated by the man at the compass. 



In the absence of a compass, if the land is fairly level, 

 a simple home-made device can be used. This consists 

 merely of two narrow strips of board 18 to 24 inches long 

 which are placed crosswise to each other at the center and 

 secured. A small nail is then driven through each of the 

 four ends of the cross thus made, care being taken so to 

 place the last nail that in sighting over the nail points length- 

 wise the lines of vision will be at right angles to each other. 

 This cross is then attached in a horizontal position, nail 

 points uppermost, to the end of a small stake of such length 

 that when stuck in the ground firmly enough to retain its 

 position the cross or ''head" will be at a height convenient 

 to sight over. This device is used in the same way that a 

 compass is used, the nail points serving as the crosshairs 



